Page 48 of Throne of Secrets

She looked up at him. “Why?”

He lifted an eyebrow and smiled. “Because moving right now would be uncomfortable.” He swiveled his hips, and she understood immediately.

“Oh, sorry.” She blushed, but she wasn’t really sorry.

Thor nudged her hand, and she looked down. “Do you want me to go ahead with Thor? You can take your time?”

“Like that wouldn’t be awkward.” Ethan snorted as he dropped his arm over her shoulders. “Let’s go to the deli, get our bread, and head back to the house.”

They started strolling again. Thor picked up the pace when he realized they were heading toward the coffee shop. “We aren’t going in tonight, bud,” Ethan said, easing the dog past his favorite store. As they approached the deli, Ethan stiffened beside her.

“What?” she asked.

“The window is cracked. Here. Hold him, and don’t come in until I tell you.” He was sprinting forward before she registered he’d given her Thor’s leash. She walked forward and then saw what Ethan had seen. The display in the window was trashed. She walked farther and looked into the deli. The small shop’s display counters were shattered. Ethan was talking to Mrs. Harvey, who had a broom in her hand. When she turned to the door, Star gasped. The side of her face was red and swollen. The black and blue that would follow would be vividly colored.

Ethan motioned for her to stay out. “I don’t want Thor to walk on the shattered glass.”

She nodded and kept the dog beside her. Her hand found his scruff, and she watched Ethan talk to Mrs. Harvey. He shook his head and headed back to her.

“What happened?”

“Some guy came in and busted up the place, threatened her but didn’t get any money.”

“Are the police on the way?”

“She said she didn’t want to call them. Refused.” Ethan scrubbed his face with his hand. “I can’t force her. Maybe you could talk to her?”

“Sure.” Star handed him the leash and walked in. “Mrs. Harvey? Millie? What in the world happened?”

The woman glanced at her, and tears formed in her eyes. “Nothing, Star. He was just a jerk who thought he could scare me. He can’t, and I won’t be calling the cops, so you just never mind about trying to make me. I’ll clean this up and close for a day or two while I get new equipment in and the window fixed.”

“But, Millie, why won’t you call the cops? They could find this guy. Did he hit you?”

“Nah, I did that trying to get to the back of the counter to grab my broom. Slipped and fell, drove my face into the counter.” Millie shook her head. “Never thought I’d see the day when we’d have to lock the door or pay for protection. Not here of all places.”

“Protection? Like alarms or armed security?”

Millie glanced at her. “Never mind, sweetie. Just an old lady rambling. You take that handsome young man and go home. I’ll be fine. I’ll lock the door after you.”

“I do wish you’d report this to the police. Think of the others.” Star tried to reason with her.

“I am, my dear. I am. Now, out you go.”

“You’re reporting it?” Star was instantly relieved, moving as the woman pushed her with the end of the broom near her ankles.

“No, I’m thinking of the others.” Millie practically chased her out of the small store with her broom. Star stepped out of the deli, and Millie shut and locked the door behind her, flipping the sign to closed.

“What in the world just happened?” Star wondered as she watched Millie return to the mess to sweep it up.

“That’s what I plan on finding out.” She watched Ethan look across the street at each storefront near Millie’s. “Ready to go back?” he asked while still looking down the street. Ethan tensed suddenly. “Let’s go.”

“Oh, okay. Sure. What just happened?” she asked as he took her arm and turned her from the store.

“Keep walking, and don’t look back.” Of course, she tried to turn around. “Star.” Ethan snapped at her.

She jumped and looked forward again. “Don’t tell me not to look because, of course, I’m going to look!” she hissed at him. “Don’t you know anything about me?”

“Sorry. Two men were watching. They were there when I went into the deli. Missing when I sent you in, but they were back in another position when I was looking for cameras.”

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